International students develop new program to prepare for driver's license exam

Preparing for the driver's license test can be a nerve-wracking experience. International students at Charles Darwin University (CDU) are developing app technology to help students prepare for the driver's license test in the Northern Territory.

Jade Doan, a Master's student in Software Engineering at CDU

Jade Doan, a Master's student in Software Engineering at CDU, is designing an app called 'NT Driver's License Assistant' to help people unfamiliar with the territory's road rules and wishing to improve their knowledge in a convenient way.

Doan herself coded the app, stating that she drew from her own experiences as well as feedback from classmates and mentors to ensure the app is simple, effective, and interactive.

Doan said, 'When I was studying for the Northern Territory driver's license test, I was given a book to memorize a lot of content. I felt there must be a more interactive way to learn all this information, especially for international students like me, to make learning easier.'

The app provides multiple-choice answers about road rules, graphics of potential driving scenarios, and a user-friendly interface that shows the correct answer when a mistake is made. She hopes to host the app on Android and IOS systems, as well as a website version.

Doan said, 'The traffic regulations in our home countries are different. As I continue to develop this app, I want to ensure it meets diverse learning styles and collaborate with others to improve how it operates.'

With a bachelor's degree in mathematics and having worked as a teacher in Vietnam, Doan broke societal traditional expectations by pursuing a career in Information Technology (IT).

She said, 'In high school, people often told me that IT is not for girls. Although I loved teaching mathematics, I have always been more interested in coding and software development, and I learned everything I could from scratch.' But I didn't want to limit myself to teaching for a lifetime. Now at CDU, I am thoroughly enjoying my studies and looking forward to graduating soon to contribute my learned skills to the IT industry in the Northern Territory.

As a committee member of the Vietnamese Student Association, Doan helped with the 2024 welcome new student event. She believes that international students can fill important gaps in Darwin with their knowledge and skills. She said, 'It's great to meet new classmates and bring them into the CDU social groups.'

International students have many opportunities to share their culture and perspectives, as well as apply their skills in jobs needed in the territory.

Doan, who arrived in Australia last March, fulfilled a childhood dream. Although she loves the vibrant cities of Sydney and Melbourne, it is Darwin's unique charm and supportive community, especially at CDU, that made her want to stay.

Darwin sunset

She said, 'I heard Darwin has the most beautiful sunsets, and it's true! Many people here are willing to help, especially the Vietnamese community.'